Kiwon Choi has worked primarily with the same subject matter-- dead flowers, in various media and processes since her first water color painting Memory of Aloha, 2006 , with the most recent version of this series being Cosmic Garden (2010), a ceiling/ wall installation of vinyl flower and LED lights.
In 2010, she curated and participated as a visual artist in D3 art and music. A series of four sets of shows at Chicago's Smartbar including live painting to curated music. Cosmic Garden was shown in two of the four. The intention was to be a harmonized setting with other visual artists and musicians. Site specific direction was required due to light and space limits.
Currently, Kiwon has been working on a series of self-portraits and other portraitures-- produced in darkness and not brought "into light" until now. That light is a symbol of comfort, and the darkness represents the essential elements of challenge. The challenge of darkness and the comfort of light. This series of challenge and comfort, of darkness and light are a re-evaluation of her past ten years in the United States, as she plans a return to her native Korea to further her art.
When invited to co-curate the Art in the Dark series at RGB Lounge, she immediately considered it an excellent opportunity to compile previous and current works into one for her first showing of 2011. She aims to reflect the immortal patterns in life, such as birth and death, connection and separation, begining and ending.
Kiwon Choi is a native of Seoul, South Korea. She relocated to Chicago to attend the School of the Art Institute and recieved her BFA in 2006.
The Art in the Dark series continues at the RGB Lounge with a group show of superb female artist entitled Les Dames Noire.
Anchored by 2006 SAIC alumna and prolific Chicago artist Kiwon Choi,
Les Dames Noire is
intended to explore the dark spaces encountered in the experience of multi-media artists. Kiwon brings her extensive understanding of installation and curation to the lounge with live painting to the music of
Lady D, the re-intallation "Cosmic Garden" (a ceiling and wall installation of vinyl flowers and LED lights), as well as an exhibition of current and new works.
Joining Kiwon is soon to be SAIC graduate, Heejin Koo. Heejin brings with her work recently exhibited at the SAIC BFA show, as well as, recent works and live painting. We are also fortunate for the short notice inclusion of Robin Monique Rios. Rios, a resident of the Zhou B Art Center will be exhibiting a portion of her Observation Series-- photo collages of X-rays and MRIs coupled with her own photography. Finally, we welcome Junko Kajino who will be screening a number of her film shorts.
Art in the Dark is a series of art shows, installations and events that challenges the typical rules of engagement between art and viewer. Through the use of technical advancements in lighting, the art is immersed in varying combinations of red, green and blue light, animating and bringing the work into a new dimension with specific intent of being viewed in a darkened environment.
Opening reception, Thursday, April 14th, 7 pm to 11 pm. RGB Lounge 1420 N. Milwaukee Av. Chicago, Il 60622
Co-curated by Stuart Hall and Kiwon Choi
